Spool construction



Feb. 26, 1952 G. G. TUCKER, JR, ET AL SPOOL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 15, 1949 IHVEIJLUPE 67601 Patented Feb. 26, 1952 Rappleyea, Oak. Park, Ill., assignorstoHubbard. SpoolCompany, Chicago, Ill-;, a-corporation of};

I no v Application December 15, 1949; Serial N '0. 133,148;

3.Claims.;

l The. present invention relates to a spool construction, and in particular to a spool construction having a reinforced head structure capable of sustaining axial thrusts occurring when wire isbeing wound on the'spool.

When wire, ribbon, thread, orthelike, is wound upon a spool at the high rate'of speed normally used insuch winding operations, a substantialaxial thrust is imparted to thehead of the spool which, in many instances,will cause the head tobuckle or become otherwise distorted. This distortion creates an unequal mass in the rapidly rotating spool assembly, thus interfering with the rotation of the spool on its true geometric axis.

To overcome, thisdifficulty, itis necessary to provide suitable reinforcement for the head members without materially increasing the weight thereof, since it is desirable for shipping and operating, purposes to, keep the weight of the spool aslow as possible.

With the foregoing in mind, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a spool assembly having a reinforcement head portion capable of sustaining substantial axial thrusts without buckling or deformation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spool assembly wherein the head members are locked together so that axial thrust on one head member will be resisted by both of the head structures.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a spool assembly having a reinforced core.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a light-weight spool assembly which may be conveniently fabricated from light-weight metal stampings.

Other and further objects and features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the attached sheet of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical view of a spool produced according to the present invention, with a portion thereof broken away and in section to illustrate the core and head structures; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 1.

As shown on the drawings:

The spool asssembly of the present invention includes a tubular hub member I preferably formed from a seamless, extruded piece of metal tubing, such as aluminum. Disposed concentrically with the axis of the hub I0 are a pair of concentric tubular inserts forming the core of the spool structure comprising an inner insert I I and an outer tubular insert I2.

distribution of The head assembly of the spool shown in the drawing consists of an annularhead member I3 of a suitable metal havin its inner peripheral edge rolled to provide an inwardly extending annular flange portion I4 and an adjacent annular-bead I5. The flange portion I4 is joined,

preferably by brazing, to the outer wall of the outertubularinsert I2.

The head member-- I3 is also provided with a plurality of integral, inwardly extending curved tab portions I6 struck out from the-metal of the- The tabs I6 are equally spaced reinforcing member consisting of an end plate orwasher II. This end plate I! is of annular-configuration and-has an inwardly-turned rim I8 at the inner peripheral edge thereof snugly received in the space between the inserts II and I2. The outer edge of the inner tubular member II is peened over the flange I8, as shown at Ha, to aid in securing the flange I8 against outward displacement from between the tubular members I I and I2. In the completed assembly the bead I5 formed in the head member I3 is in contact with the surface of the end plate I! and is secured thereto as by means of brazing.

The outer peripheral edge I9 of the reinforcing member I! is rolled and nestled within the rolled rim 2!) of the head member I3 to unite the periperal edges of the two members.

A keyway 2| is formed in the end plate H to receive a drive pin for transmitting torque to the spool assembly.

In assembling the spool of the present invention, a sub-assembly consisting of the hub I0, head member I3, and outer tubular insert I2 are first assembled. The areas of the hub III which are to be fastened to the tabs I6 are pre-coated with a brazing compound, as in the flange portion I4 of the head member I3. Upon assembly of these three components, the joints are brazed by the addition of a suitable flux and the application of heat. Brazing compounds of this nature are normally corrosive, so after brazing has been accomplished it is desirable that access to the joints be had so that excess brazing compound may be removed. The apertures 22 resulting from the offsetting of tabs I6 from the head member Each of" l3 provide convenient points of access through which a brush may be inserted to clean the brazed joints. The end plate l1 and the inner insert II may then be assembled within the previously mentioned sub-assembly and secured by peening over the edge I la of the insert H and rolling the edge of the head member l3 over the outer edge of the end plate ll.

While only one head structure has been illusstrated for purposes of convenience, it will be understood that the structure of the opposite head is identical with the structure of the head assembly shown. In this manner, when a thrust load in an axial direction due to the pressure of the medium being wound is exerted on one of the head members, the force will be resisted by both head assemblies. In addition, a force applied against one of the head assemblies tending to force it oil the hub will, due to the interaction of the two head assemblies, tend to force the opposite head assembly against the adjacent end of the hub.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the present invention we have provided a spool assembly having both reinforced head and core portions capable of sustaining a high degree of stress. The spools of the present invention may be conveniently fabricated from relatively inexpensive tubing and stamped sheet metal sections so that the weight of the completed spool is conveniently low and consequently possesses a low degree of inertia.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing.

from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A spool comprising a tubular hub, a pair of concentric tubular inserts aligned axially within said hub, an annular head member secured at its inner peripheral edge to the outer one of said inserts and having a plurality of integral tabs extending therefrom joined to the interior of said hub, and an annular reinforcing member having its inner edge disposed in snug fitting relation between said inserts, and having its outer peripheral edge joined to the peripheral edge of said head member.

2. A spool comprising a tubular hub, a pair of concentric tubular inserts aligned axially within ber having an annular flange thereof in snug engagement between said tubular inserts, having a surface thereof secured to said bead portion, and having its outer peripheral edge secured to the peripheral edge of said head member.

3. A spool comprising a tubular hub, a pair of concentric tubular inserts aligned axially within said hub, an annular head member having its inner peripheral edge secured to the outer of said inserts, a plurality of tabs integral with said head member and equally spaced from the center of the head member secured to the inner surface REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,849,977 Decombe Mar. 15, 1932 1,920,422 Mills Aug. 1, 1933 

